Detachable valve-handle



F. F. HALE.

DETACHABLE VALV-E HANDLE APPLICATION FILED JULY T31920- PatentedNov. 29,1921.

I ll III I H I I. I "H" "h I L ME /Am B M J x Y J idit lltii FREDERICK 1". HALE, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

nnrncn'annn VALVE-HANDLE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Fnnonnron F. HALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at liledtord, in the cou ty of Middlesex and Eitate of lilassachusetts, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Detachable Valve-l-landlcs, of which the following; is a specification.

The present invention. relates to a detachable va ve-handle for use at gasolene dispensing stations.

As is well known, the extensive use of gasolene driven automobiles has necessitated the installation, in almost every community, 01"" gasolene dispensing stations.

Perhaps the latest and most generally used measuring: and dispensing device is the so called visible measure pump.

It is the general practice of operators of these pumps to have five gallons drawn and ready for discharging to a customer. In the absence of special provisions, however, the gasolene be withdrawn from the container by unauthorized persons. It is thus possible for children, it the pump is not all the time under observation of the operator or otner reliable person, to release the gasolene thereby creating a fire hazard. It is also possible for thieves to empty the container.

It is the principal object to provide a detachable valve handle which eiiectively guards against losses of the character mentioned.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of an arrangement embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through a handle construction representing the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the handle construction; and

Fig. a shows a sectional view of a modification.

In Figs. 13 inclusive 1 represents a valve stern forming part of valve mechanism for controlling the flow of gasolene in well known pump arrangements. This stem ordinarily carries at its end a fixedhandle for operating the valve.

In place 0" the usual packing nut It provide a packing nut 2 carrying at its lower end a protecting sleeve 3 which surrounds the stem 1 and projects a considerable distance below its end.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 529, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 3945M.

The handle construction by which the stem is operated has a portion which is passed upwardly into the protecting sleeve into engagement with the stem. The structure with which this invention is principally identified is the relationship between the lower part of the stem, the sleeve and the handle proper.

The handle portion which extends into the sleeve 3 comprises a tubular element 4 preferably formed integral with the handle 5. he bore of the eiement & is such as to freely slide over the reduced portion 1 of the stem 1.

At its upper end the element t has one or more, preferably two lugs 6 of a thickness less than the thickness of the tubular element and in the stem 1, immediately above the reduced portion 1" are formed recesses 7 to receive the lugs 6.

The lugs 6 and the recesses 7 are purposely made of the particular form to make it difficult for any person to file keys on the element a. While the lugs 6 and the re cesses 7 are provided along the periphery or the element 4i and the stem 1 respectively, they may be positioned difi'erently. The principal purpose is, to introduce into the structure an irregularity the nature of which it is diiiicult to detect or to provide for by unauthorized persons.

To place further difiiculties in the way of a t ief, I provide lugs 8 on the inner wall of the element 3, of such radial length as to project into the path of movement of the element a. T he element i has, intermediate its ends, a reduced portion 9 fitting between the lugs 8. In the upper portion 10 of the element 4 are cut grooves 11 of such width and depth as to allow the element to pass by the lugs 8. These grooves 11 are angularly displaced relatively to the lugs 6, preferably 90.

To prevent the handle from dropping while it is in operative position, I have provided a latch 12 actuated by a spring 13 and engaging an undercut shoulder 1a in the lower end oi the reduced end 1 of the stem 1. This shoulder is circular so as to engage the latch in any position to which the valve may be turned.

it is understood that other and difierent latching devices or temporary interlocking means may be provided within the scope of the invention. 1

The operation of the handle is obvious.

It is well nigh impossible for an unauthorized person to improvise means for operating the valve. The lugs 8 effectively prevent the introduction of a sleeve element. The lugs 6 and recesses 7 are so shaped and positioned that their character cannot be easily determined. While for the sake of simplicity this form of interlocking means has been chosen, other more irregular forms may be used. There is no limit to, the'exercise o'f ingenuity and mechanical skill to make the device in this respect fool-proof.

The reduced portion 9 is of such length as to allow the lugs 6 to be disengaged from the recesses 7 before the upper portion 10 comes into contact with the lugs 8. This feature makes it possible to leave the valve in any desired position and still be able to disengage the handle. During the business hours, the operator may leave the valve in closed position and the container filled awaiting sales. At night or whenever he so desires, he may leave the valve open and thus make it impossible to draw any gasolene into the container.

In place of the lugs 8, other forms of obstructions may be introduced. lVhilel have disclosed one simple form thereof to explain the principles on which the invention is-based, I contemplate the use of various other forms.

In Fig. 1} l have shown a form which incorporates some of the important features of the form shown in Figs. 1-3 but difiers in other respects. The handle 20 has a simple tubular element 21 and the lugs 8 are omitted.

, At the upper end the element 21 has lugs 22 like the lugs 601- of any desired construction to engage recesses 28 or other recesses corresponding to the particular form of lugs In fact the relation of the lugs adopted. and recesses may be reversed. The V lugs may be on "the stein 2a and the recesses on the element 21. While the added protecting feature due to'the lugs 8 in Figs. 1 to?) is omitted, the relation of the lugs 22 and recesses or equivalent elements may be chosen so as to make tampering substantially inipossible.

This form of device has the compensating advantage that as soon as the handle is released, it will drop out of its place, thereby calling the operators attention to his negligence. A

With both forms as well as with other forms within the scope of the disclosure tampering is effectively prevented and fire risk and other risks are correspondingly decreased.

There are principally two kinds of valve stems known in practice, viz. the stationary and the rising valve stem. In the foregoing the invention has been'shown as applied to the stationary valve stem. It is obvious,

stem remote from its end may be equally well applied to the rising valve stem.

1 claim:

In a device for dispensing gasolene or the like having a valve, the combination of a valve stem, a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation thereto and extending beyond the free end thereof, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the stem and means on thetubular element and on the defining an interlocking engagement.

2. In a device for dispensing gasolene or the like having a valve, the combination of a valve stem, a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spacer. relation thereto and extending beyond the free end thereof, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the stem, means on the inner face of the guard form ing an obstruction to' the passage of the tubular element, the tubular element hava groove formed to permit the passage thereof and means on the tubular element and on the stem remote from its end dea valve stem, a sleeve guard surrounding the stem'in spaced relation thereto and extending beyond the free end thereof, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the stem, means on the tubular element and on the stem remote from its end defining an interlocking engagement and latch mechanism for holding the tubular element against axial movement relatively to the other elements when the tubular element and the stem are in interlocking relation.

4.111 a device for dispensing gasolene or the like having a valve, the combination of a valve stem having a reduced end portion, a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation to the reduced end portion and extending beyond the free end of the reduced portion, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the reduced end portion, a lug at the end of the tubular element having a thickne'ss less than the thickness of the tubular element and having a recess above the reduced portion for receiving the said lug.

5. In a device for dispensing gasolene or the, like having a valve, the combination of a valve stem having a reduced end portion, a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation to-the reduced end portion and extending beyond the free end of the reduced portion, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and thereduced end portion, means on the tion, the tubular element having a reduced portion intermediate its ends to permit turning movement of the tubular element and a groove in its inner end portion permitting the passage thereof by the obstruction, and means on the tubular element and on the stem remote from its end defining an interlocking engagement.

6. F or use in a device of the character described, the combination with a valve stem and a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation thereto and extending beyond the free end of the valve stem, of means on the stem remote from its end forming one part of an interlocking means, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the stem and means forming the second part of the said interlocking means.

7. For use in a device of the character described, the combination with a valve stem and a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation thereto and extending beyond the free end of the valve stem, of a projection on the inner face of the guard and means on the stem remote from its end forming one part of an interlocking means, a tubular element having a sliding fit in the space between the guard and the stem and a groove permitting movement past the said projection and means forming the second part of the said interlocking means.

8. For use in a device of the character described, the combination with a valve stem and a sleeve guard surrounding the stem in spaced relation thereto and extending beyond the free end of the valve stem, of a projection on the inner face of the guard and means on the stem remote from its end forming one part of an interlocking means, a tubular element having a sliding fitin the space between the guard and its stem and a reduced portion intermediate its ends, a groove in the inner end portion permitting movement past the said projection and means forming the second part of said interlocking means.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK F. HALE. 

